Before you file a personal injury lawsuit, you probably wonder how long the entire process will take. This question is difficult to answer as several factors determine why your case might take longer to settle. While a short trial may be quick, a long-lasting legal battle can take years to resolve. A personal injury case can be determined more quickly if you are willing to accept less compensation. However, a quicker settlement might not be in your best interest if you have high medical bills or a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Every case is different, and the answer to your specific claim will be unique to the facts and circumstances of your case. Below, we have outlined several reasons why lawyers take too long to settle a case.
The Medical Treatment Is Still Going on-
If the victim has suffered severe injuries and is still receiving medical treatment, it could be too early to resolve the case. It is because your attorney needs to ascertain the full extent of the damages in your claim, which encompasses:
- Your medical bills
- Lost wages
- Any permanent damage you may have sustained due to injury
The amount of these future expenses is always uncertain until you have completed your medical treatment.
The Lawyer Is Waiting for Your Medical Records-
Once you have completed your medical treatment, your injury lawyer in Sacramento and paralegal will purchase your medical records from your health care providers for the treatment you have received. Your medical records must be certified to be considered an authentic record of your treatment and acceptable in court. This entire process takes a while for medical providers to get the records back to your legal team.
Your Attorney Is Waiting for the Other Side’s Reply-
If your injury lawyer responds to you on time doesn’t imply the other side is also responding timely. Sometimes, the other side ignores calls and letters. Assuredly, your personal injury lawyer in Sacramento will do everything possible to move the case forward, but they can’t control what the other side is doing.
Your Case Is in Court-
Once your case reaches the court, things get extremely slow down. Typical reasons why a case might take longer to settle can include:
- The court can’t proceed with the case until the defendant has been formally served with the court papers. If the defendant isn’t at home or work or is just trying to drag out the case, it can add up to a few months to process.
- When the process is delayed, it can slow down the case. In this process, each side collects evidence from the opposing party. However, if a party opposes a discovery request, they may file motions with the judge and have hearings, which needs time.
Related Article:
When Do You Need to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
Crowded Court Dockets-
If the court dockets are crowded, hearings like conference settlements before the court can be delayed into the future and take time to reschedule. Once the trial date has passed, there will be less pressure and more time to settle, enabling the defendants to drag the case down until they accept a smaller settlement.
If you or your loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, hire the best auto accident lawyer in Sacramento as soon as possible to protect your rights and fight for you to receive ample financial compensation to move forward.
